My dear readers,

(Excerpts from RPG "Morning & Evening" Jan – Mar 1997, Feb 20 / Feb 27 / Mar 6 / Mar 9).

1. Sought out

The surpassing grace of God is seen in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for some lost things by sweeping the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. Ours was different: we were lost in abominable mire, or like a priceless diamond ring lost in a rubbish heap. Only by careful, pain-staking and diligent searching is the ring recovered. We were sought out by the loving Saviour, delivered from the mire of a lost world.

Alternatively, to use another illustration: we were as lost sheep, so desperately lost in hostile and strange country, far from the fold and off the beaten track, that it did not seem possible that even the most experienced and caring Shepherd could tract our devious wanderings. But our Good Shepherd persevered with patient searching, sparing no effort and overcoming every peril, until He found us. Glory be to infinite grace, we were sought out!

The lives of some of God’s people would fill us with holy amazement. Strange and imponderable are the ways of God in searching out His own. Blessed be His matchless name, He never gave up until the lost sheep are sought out effectually. They are not sought out today and cast off tomorrow. His salvation work is complete and comprehensive. With Him there is no failure. That we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! And all because of God’s own sovereign love for unworthy sinners such as us. Praise God, we wear the gracious name, "Sought out."

The initiative is with God. Lord, teach me to seek Thee with all my heart.

2. The grace of our Lord

Christ our Lord has grace without measure, and all for the blessing of His people. "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). He is full of grace in order to dispense to us. Like a fountain He fills our empty pitchers, and our thirst is satisfied.Or, like a tree, He bears sweet fruits, not to hang as ornaments but for the feeding of the needy multitudes.

Grace to pardon, cleanse, preserve, strengthen, enlighten, quicken, restore, is our Lord’s inexhaustible supply to us – free, to be had without money, without price. Nor is there one form of the work of grace which He has not bestowed upon His people. Blood flows from the heart, its source, but it belongs equally to every member, so the influences of grace flow to every saint united in the body of Christ.

Christ is the Head, the Fount of every blessing. On His Head the oil of anointing is poured, and it flows to every part, even to the feet, so that the meanest and lowliest saint receives an unction of the precious fragrance which fell upon the Head. "I am the vine, ye are the branches…" (John 15:5). By this vital communion, the sap of grace flows from vine to branch, as day by day we receive grace from Jesus.

Realising that all our goodness comes from Him, how precious is that communion between us and the Lord. Indeed, His grace is marvellous, so rich and free. And He delights in our drawing evermore from His boundless supply. Such is our Lord’s matchless grace.

3. God’s everlasting love

As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves His people. What is that divine method? God’slove is without beginning, and thus Jesus loves us. "… I have loved thee with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3). You can trace the beginning of human affection, or your love for Christ, but His love for us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity.

God’s love is without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort; that there is no change in Jesus Christ’s love for those who rest in Him. Yesterday, you were spiritually uplifted, and you said, "He loves me." Today, you are in the valley of humiliation, but He loves you just the same! On mountain top, you heard His voice so sweetly inspiring; now with sea-billows breaking over you, He stays you with the voice of calm and full assurance.

The Father loves the Son without any end; thusdoes the Son love His people. Friend, are you fearful of the "last call"? Fear not! His love for you will never cease. Rest confident that even through the valley of death, the Lord is with you, to guide you safely to the everlasting City of God.

Finally, the Father loves the Son without measure, and the same immeasurable love is ours from the Son. He loved us and gave Himself for us. His love is beyond comprehension. What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus our Lord! Immutable, precious, without beginning, without end: He loves us with an everlasting love.

4. My beloved

This was the golden name which the ancient church in her most joyous moments gave to the Anointed of the Lord. No sweeter sound was heard than that of God’s people as they sang, "My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies" (Song 2:16). Their one refrain in the Song of Songs was to repeat His delightful name, "My Beloved."

Even in the long winter of Israel’s backsliding, God’s prophets would break forth with these words of praise, "Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard…" (Isa 5:1). His face, they had not seen, for as yet He was not made flesh, and no man had beheld His glory, yet He was the consolation of Israel, her one hope and joy, the "beloved" of God’s chosen people.

What says the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ today? No less than ancient Israel, we speak of Him as the beloved of our soul, "the chiefest among ten thousand" (Song 5:10), the altogether lovely One. It is His matchless love that binds us to Him with a bond which nothing can ever sever, not even persecution, distress, affliction, peril, sword, and even death (Rom 8:35).

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor